How to Write a CV to Make a Big Impact

Your CV, or   Curriculum   Vitae , to give it it’s full Latin name is one of the most important things in your arsenal when applying for jobs. Your CV is going to be what get’s you to the next stage in the companies’ recruitment process, usually a job interview.

When a company advertises a job you can usually guarantee that in the current economic climate they are going to be inundated with hundreds, if not thousands of applications and CVs which they have to sort through and narrow down to a just a hand full. You can also assume that the manager, or human resources department dealing with recruitment are very busy and therefore not going to have the time to read each CV in detail. It’s therefore essential that your CSV makes a big impression quickly and succinctly without needing to be read in full.

Here’s our guide to how to structure your CV. The following format works well as it is clear to the reader and makes it obvious who you are and what you are looking for

CV Structure

Start with the basics. Include all your personal details and contact information.

Personal Details

• Name


• Address


• Mobile Phone Number


• E-mail Address


• Date of Birth


• Clean Driving Licence (If applicable)

Next you need to write your personal profile. This is a paragraph about you and what you’re looking.

Personal profile

• This should be concise and to the point.


• Try to avoid cliched phrases.


• Include your key selling points – it is your chance to sell yourself within the first 10 seconds of someone reading it


• Summarise -clarify what you are looking for and why you are suitable for it


• Remember to include your personality when writing it help to make a good first impression and give an insight to you.

Now add all your qualification, work experience, and your references.

Education

• This should include


• Names of Schools/Colleges


• Dates Attended


• Subject


• Grades

Work History & Work Experience

This should include:

• Start with your most recent/current positions


• Dates


• Bullet point your key/main responsibilities


• Include achievements/ targets met and exceeded


• Your current/most recent role should have the most information; previous jobs will not need as much but still include any achievements and your main responsibilities.

Do not

• Include salary


• Waffle too much – try to make it clear to read

Other information

• PC packages and levels


• Language(s) spoken


• Training courses attended and grades

References

• Gives names, Address, and position if possible.


• If not then put References are available upon request.

Your CV should be typed black on plain white paper try to avoid the used of fancy fonts or paper, it confuses the reader and can look messy if not presented correctly. Make sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Your CV does not need to be limited to one page, but try to make it not more than 3. The most important thing is that you have included your skills and abilities and have presented them clearly. 

How to Write a CV to Make a Big Impact